Coastal Run

I have to say, I am still speechless after a coastal run from Derry to Belfast in its entirety on Saturday just past. What we missed last time, we more than made up for this time. Previously, we had taken a wrong turn towards Cushendall, and therefore ended up on the main motorway back from Ballymena. However, that mistake was most definitely not made this time! We set off from Deryy mid afternoon....the previous day's hot temperatures had subsided (just as well, as the run to Malin Head on the Friday was very hot). Instead of heading over the mountain towards Coleraine, we skirted round it, on a road that was the B 701....I have never seen a road like it, long sweeping bends, and even longer straights, with numerous undulations that were just phenomenal! We pluged through this road, past some forest parks, the trees closing in over the top of you to give the feeling of a green tunnel. The engine note got louder as it reverberated off the trees. We drove through the bikers paradise of Portstewart and Portrush, before heading on the Dunluce Road along the north Antrim coast.....views to the left over the drumlins, to the right out to sea....so much to take in. The Ténéré was working wonderfully, so balanced, I was able to lean into the corners at speed and with confidence in the grip the bike gives.

We passed White Rocks....with memories of body-boarding in December (no joke) in 2001. A pit stop here was inevitable, as the ass and legs were going numb! The views along the coast were stunning, and off the to the small rocky outcrop that is the Skerries. When I looked downwards, the colour changes at the base of the cliff were a multitude of blues and greens.

  

We continued along the coastal route, encountering tourist buses as we did, twisting the throttle to overtake on the short straights, the roar of the XT thumper engines clearly audible, as the people on the buses looked out their window at us....enviously (I am convinced!). Through the famous town of Bushmills, we drove down to the Glens of Antrim....a different landscape, but no less breathtaking. The glacial landscape undulated almost like a dreamscape, and this is augmented by the quaint villages along the route that add to the feeling that it all isn't real! Making sure we kept on the road (not taking the wrong turn), we headed towards Glenarm alng the coast, the road cut right on the waterfront into the cliff face. We passed indigenious forests that perched all the way up the slopes to the immediate right hand side, it was like something out of Lord Of The Rings! The tunnels cut into the rock ensures a glorious sound on a bike, you can't help but squeeze the throttle that little bit harder to ensure a louder noise.....childish....but fun! That night, all I dreamt off was the bike run, and how I wanted to do it again! I am hoping to buy a small clip on video camera, so that some of this experience can be shared.

The Classic Ténéré

What a weekend! What a result too! As anyone who has read any part of my blog since getting the SLR, I had musings about whether I should get something taller. This came to a head on Friday when I got a phone call from Kiv’s stating that there was a Yamaha XT600 Ténéré available on Gumtree (the popular auction / for sale site). This would entail some frantic and frenetic activity....but I had a hand to guide me, so all was well. I had had interest in the SLR, but not at the asking price so I had sort of rejected that outright. However, the SLR could be sold at the price the guy was offering, and I would still be able to buy the Ténéré and still have some cash in hand. Always a good thing. The Yamaha is older and had higher mileage, however these bikes are designed to drive down and then through Africa, there are still blokes going round the world on them....take a look at David Lambeth’s “Overland” website etc.

Once the SLR had been taken off my hands (a “Luck’s penny” thrown the buyers way of course), I headed to Ballywalter for the Ténéré. I got down and instantly as soon as I sat on it realised this was much more suitable. Then I drove it....despite it having 50 less cc’s than the SLR, the grunt is much better and also more readably accessible. Each gear has torque in spades and the manoeuvrability is also better. The back roads off Ballywalter proved an excellent testing ground. The deal was done and a “lucks penny” thrown my way. I only found out the other day that this is not only a nice gesture, but is to carry on good Karma with the next bike the seller will buy too. I drove home to Belfast, collected my stuff and was instantly on the road up to Portstewart to the NW. The journey up was, somewhat, more pleasant than the previous motorway experience, the Ténéré felt more....planted, more secure and more heavy-duty, which in turn gave me a greater degree of confidence. I drove up to Portstewart via the Coleraine route....and the amount of humanity on the roads was breathtaking. Cars would, in the main, pull over to the verges to let bikers through, which meant I was able to scoot up quite quickly. Occasionally, you would hear the wail of a race bike....a Ducati 999 or a Ninja or a Fireblade, they would pass me and wave as they did. My sense of excitement and anticipation was building with each passing mile!! And the Ténéré just made the experience even more pleasurable.

Just outside Coleraine I encountered the classic rideout, there were Nortons, Royal Enfields, BMW’s....the noise a classic makes is, to my ears anyway, quite unique, and always brings a smile. A bit like when you see a couple in an old Healey or something similar, the top is down, the spare wheel is strapped to the back, and they are quite content chugging along. Through Portstewart, the car traffic was backed up for miles, but I found the bike easy to manoeuvre, and I was able to “snipe” my way up main street, past the Anchor Bar and up to the pits, where Kivi was waiting for me, a big wave greeted me, and a “F*ckkkkkkkkkk” “Class”. We were surrounded by unbelievable race bikes, but I overheard a few guys talking about the two Yamahas side by side, my Ténéré and the Kiv’s Machine’s XT600E. I only found out the other day that “X” stands for cross (as in the American “School X-ing”) and the “T” for trail. We meandered round the pits, stopping at the Ducati racing pit garage, the Kwak pit garage and numerous Honda pit garages....the race machines are somehow other worldly....but fascinating.

This year’s NW200 was, frankly, not a spectacle that’ll go down in the annals as a great event, partly due to the weather and also for the pits having to be evacuated due to a bomb scare. I think most people can hear the collective sigh about this from miles away! I’ll say no more!

Old Memories

I took the opportunity with the good weather to don the leathers and head out on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday on the bike. The sky was clear and blue and the weather was perfect. I went over the Holywood Hills on Friday - there are some gems hidden away up here, taking Creighton's Green Road and stopping towards the top to admire the view[s] over Belfast Lough and towards Belfast. Spectacular! This is the location for the annual Croft Hill Climb, and I remember hearing the noise of the engines when I was younger. The road twists and for a part is completely enclosed in hedges. Like a green tunnel you wind your way left, then right, then left then right again.

The Lough was flat calm, and the sun shone off the surface. To my immediate right was a pathway that leads right down to the shore, from the top of the Hills. I've never actually walked the whole thing, which is a shame as it's literally on my back door step. I was the only person on the road, and I continued up the route, passing Creighton's Forest / Wood, another little woodland that I never knew existed! Although the original place name for Holywood is thought to be De Sacro Bosco (taken from the Monasticon Hibernicum) and it is thought to refer to the wood[s]. Although there are variations, with some evidence for ‘Ard Mhic Nasca’ [height of the son of Nasca]. This would have been St Laisrén (simply reading the Ordnance Survey Memoirs or Lewis' Topographical Dictionary of Ireland gives so much information on the history of an area before you visit).

On Saturday I visited Shaw's Bridge and the Giant's Ring. I excavated a Neolthic site beside the Giant's Ring in 1995 and it broughtback a lot of memories. The site is nice for a walk through thte twisting paths, and eventually you'll find yourself down and the river and the Shaw's Brige walking paths. Although with the sun blazing, a long walk was not what I either needed or wanted to do in bike leathers! I can remember being taken to the Giant's Ring as a child, and actually thinking the stone dolman in the centre was supposed to actually be a ring worn by a giant! (My youthful imagination ran riot!). There originally would have been more to the dolman, possibly a passage tomb or something of that ilk.....it is also though that the banks of the henge might originally have been white, making the site visible for miles around. But as I stood on top of the banks and looked across to Ballynahatty (the site I excavated) I was instantly transported back to that long hot summer, I remember the dog from teh neighbouring farm (Polly) and old golden retriever / lab lumbering along towards us, and promptly plonking herself beside your trench and dozing in the sunshine. Halceon days. I've noticed recently that I am looking back at such times with rose tinted glasses. An inevitability of getting older perhaps.

It is still quite surprising to me that situated within a stones throw from the urban sprawl of Belfast lies such a site. There is something mystical about it, although I am not one of these people that will sit in the middle attempting to meditate and chant "Ummmmmmmmm". Not my style, although whatever floats your boat! The roads around here are a gem...a tad rough on the surface, but scenic and a delight to drive (also not very busy). You can occasionally hear the nosie of a sports bike engine at high revs not too far away....someone else is clearly out enjoying themselves! I found myself standing by the river's edge having just come from the Giant's Ring in contemplative mood....time to think....I think.....is always good. I love the idea of "regret nothing", but I simply don't believe that there are people out there that would not like to go back and re-do some things over. I enjoyed the ride....and if the weather holds, will definitely do it again on weekends. There are raths, castles dotted everywhere. Especially on the coast[s]. I think a run down to Nendrum (which has Mahee or Magee Castle beside it) on the shores of Strangford Lough is called for! I'll definitely bring the camera, as the landscape there is breathtaking.

Antrim Coastal Route

The bike is now taxed, insured, MOT'd and fully road legal, so with this in mind I was on the bus on my way up to Derry on Wednesday (6th April) to collect her from Kivi's garage....the plan was to drive the bikes up to Belfast taking in the Causeway Coastal Route. The day started overcast, with angry looking clouds, but the sun was trying to burn through. By the time I arrived in Derry, although it was still cloudy, you could feel the heat on your back. About 11am, we suited up and left the city, taking the route to Coleraine. I was wearing my new AGV helmet too, and I noticed that the noise level was noticeably lower, but also I could hear, properly and clearly my bikes engine note. It made the ride so much more comfortable. On the way to Coleraine, I noticed, for the first time on the 650, the cross-winds. This is not something I am used to and I struggled at times. The bike(s) are light, and perhaps because of this more susceptible to the wind, and perhaps this exaggerates the effect on the bike. This is something I'll have to get used to but it is, initially at any rate, quite disconcerting!!

We decided in Portstewart to call in to Ferndale Avenue....where we lived during our MSc in UUC....the house hadn't changed at all. The new resident (Stephen) invited us in, and the memories came flooding back. Flashbacks to being a tad "wasted" and good times. It's amazing how a place, but more particularly smells can bring back past memories. We then set off down Portstewart's Promenade, only to hit re-tarring of the roads (probably for the NW 200), the bike squirmed....and I was glad of the new rear Enduro style tyre!We headed on past Portrush, up past White Rocks and Dunluce Castle, but the coast road hugs the cliff, and the view was amazing (the sky was clear and blue) this made the water look turquoise and almost tropical. The sun glinted off the volcanic granite and basalt, the sand looked almost white and water so inviting....I could have gone for a swim!! I noticed that although I was leaning into the corners well....not as well as the more experienced Kiv's ahead, but I was pleased with my corner speeds. On the coast road, the sea and cliffs are to your left, the rolling glacial glens to your right, and on a day like this I firmly believe that Ireland is one of (if not THE) most beautiful places on earth! The difficulty was still quite strong coss-winds....these had the effect of "washing" the bike to one side or another, one more than one occasion the leg came off the foot peg to act as ballast! We parked up in Ballycastle to rest, stretch the legs and take in the view of Torr Head....a headland protruding into the sea. We continued along the back coastal road, when we approached a corner.....I leant in....a cross wind washed the bike sideways.....and I could see I was going to fast at this point.....I headed straight on. Thank the powers that be there was a large grass run-off....and this is what I ran into. the bike stayed upright, slowing nice and gradually....but the back wheel was dug in up to the chain in grass and mud. This is my first "off" and not an experience I wish to repeat!!

The Causeway Coast Road and Glens (www.ireland.com)

I got out and continued over the glens towards the coastal towns of Cushendun and Cushendall....picture postcard locations, full of history, old ruined castles and forts. But I was tentative. I caught up with Kivi, but as he said I looked like I was taking some of the corners sideways....inevitable after the scare! We pulled over in Cushendall for a bite to eat, sitting on the stone bridge to eat. This is what mymind conjures when it thinks of a bike road trip. Romanticizied perhaps, but it is possible, therefore why should you accept anything less? The roads winding up the Glens of Antrim were, frankly, breathtaking; huge waterfalls immediately to your right hand side, a view across the valley below to the next glen on your left. Phenomenal! That is the only word for it! I wish I could have stopped to take a picture, but it simply wasn't possible. From here we alas took a wrong turn, and were heading towards Ballymena. The cross winds were again taking all my concentration to battle. I need more experience with these, most definitely! The motorway beckoned, and both Kivi and I noticed that the bikes top end does appear to be around 70mph. These bikes are not designed for motorway use....on the "A" and "B" roads they are the best machines for the job....no doubt about it...the low end torque of the thumper engines means they are unbeatable. But for motorway cruising....get something else. But the idea of having to take these sorts of roads instead of the motorway(s) isn't exactly bad! And there'll be no tears if this has to be the case. Coincidently, Easy Rider was on later that evening! Perfect!

New Metzeler

The last of the few jobs was done this weekend.....a new rear Metzeler Enduro tyre was put on the bike courtesy of Martin's Tyres in Lifford. It's like new and the difference was instantly noticeable. Also - the tightened up rear Hagon shock give less "give" and a stiffer suspension, which is what I like - courtesy of Kiv's hard work again!! (Where would I be without him!). We took in the roads of Donegal, and I was able to lean into the corners much more convincingly - it also emerged that the rear axle wasn't perfectly straight previously, also giving rise the the "squidgy" rear end....so this was fixed too.

The Donegal roads were a joy, also hearing the Yamaha 600E burble ahead was just something to behold!! The coast road especially (round Moville) was beautiful and the weather couldn't have been better. The "thumper" engine (especially on my Honda) doesn't seem to want to go above 80mph....but it is a 650cc and cruising is my bag, rather than speeding....if I had wanted that I would have bought a sports bike!!

We did our first spot of "green-laning", the new rear tyre coped very well, although there were a couple of sideways moments, it was all good fun, plus heading to see a restored pre-Famine cottage complete with wood burning stove made the journey up (and back down) the lane more than worthwhile. Although I wouldn't want to do it in the wet!!

I was impressed at the handling (even at relatively high speeds) on the narrower (and less well surfaced) roads. It is going to take me a bit of time to gain confidence fully....and this will especially need to be the case before any major trip is planned! But with a small buget (and a massive amount of help, patience and attention from a friend) it has been possible to buy the bike and carry out a lot of work to it for quite a small amount of money. I sit in work at the moment and look out the window and all I can think about is a long drive - especially on a day like this!

Much Work - And a Saturday Ride!!

It seemed like a small list, but when you actually get down to it, there was much to do. Kivi had (kindly) bought the new fluids (fork oils, engine oils etc), the parts had arrived at my house from England so we were all set.

The first job was to remove both front forks to replace the fork seals, this was a fiddly job, but thankfully Kiv's has a lot (in fact all) his tools are exceptional high quality (Teng etc). We removed the springs, drained the existing fluid (which was below the normal level) and someone had bunged in a bit of cloth beneath the dust seal to try and stem the flow of oil, rather than replace the fork seal!!! the forks were then reassembled (with nre oil and filters) and put back, the front wheel then being put back on.

Kivi also skillfully took apart he indicators and mended them so they are now level. The spark plug was replaced (although the existing one was in good condition) and the air filter was replaced (although again, this had clearly been replaced recently). The oil draining was, however, a bit of an issue, the drain bolt on the frame was no problem, but the drain plug on the crank case had been rounded, and therefore only a partial oil change was possible. The oil filter was also replaced.

It was then time for the ride......I followed Kivi (on his Yamaha XT600E) up through Derry, and into Donegall, twisting on the back roads, it is still very much a case of me getting my confidence up, although on the main roads this isn't a problem. We drove up to Greenan Fort (Grianán of Ailech) and the view down to the valley was breathtaking.

The fort lies atop a small mountain, the stone fort being a later rebuild, however, the site itself is most definitely prehistoric.....the ditches still clearly visible in the landscape surrounding the stone monument - there is little doubt that a stone monument was here, but one should not believe that what is seen today is original.

The ride back was also brilliant, sweeping curves of the main roads in Donegal. The back end of the SLR felt a bit "soft"....so I was delighted to hear (after I'd got home) that Kivi had continued to work on the rear shock, firming up the rear end by adjusting the rear shock.